Sifnos runs a small but useful bus network that links the port at Kamares with Apollonia, Artemonas and most of the beaches on the southern half of the island. It will not replace a car if you want to reach every corner, but for a beach hopping holiday based around Kamares or Apollonia it covers the essentials well. This guide brings together the routes, prices and current official timetable for the island, covering both the busy summer schedule and the quieter shoulder season.
Who Runs the Buses and Where They Leave From
All buses on Sifnos are run by the local KTEL company, working with the Municipality of Sifnos. Apollonia sits right in the middle of the island and acts as the main hub, with almost every route passing through it. Kamares, down at the port, is the other key stop, along with Artemonas just above Apollonia.
Bus stops in the centre of the island are split by direction, so it helps to know exactly where to stand. In Apollonia, buses to Kamares and Agia Marina wait in front of the post office, buses to Artemonas, Kastro and Kato Petali wait opposite it, and buses towards Platys Gialos, Chrysopigi, Faros and Vathi wait in front of the Hotel Anthousa.
One useful thing worth knowing is that you buy your ticket from the driver as you board, rather than needing to find a separate ticket office first.
Sifnos Bus Prices
| Route | Fare |
|---|---|
| Kamares to Artemonas | 2.20 euros |
| Kamares to Platys Gialos, Vathi, Kastro, Faros or Cheronisos | 3.50 euros |
| Artemonas to Platys Gialos, Vathi, Faros, Kastro, Kato Petali or Exampela | 2.20 euros |
| Artemonas to Katavati | 2.20 euros |
| Artemonas to Cheronisos | 2.50 euros |
| Kastro to Faros | 3.50 euros |
| Kastro to Platys Gialos | 2.50 euros |
| Platys Gialos to Cheronisos | 3.50 euros |
| Local route within a village | 2.20 euros |
| Luggage over 10 kilograms | Small extra charge under current municipal rules |
Peak Summer Timetable, 3 July to 31 August
This is when the network runs at its busiest, with buses roughly every 30 to 60 minutes on the main Kamares to Artemonas corridor from early morning until midnight.
| Route | First bus | Last bus | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artemonas, Apollonia, Kamares | 07:00 | 00:00 | About 24 buses a day |
| Kamares, Apollonia, Artemonas, Platys Gialos | 07:15 | 00:15 | About 24 buses a day |
| Platys Gialos, Apollonia, Artemonas, Kamares | 07:40 | 00:15 | About 18 buses a day |
| Artemonas, Apollonia, Platys Gialos | 07:00 | 00:00 | About 18 buses a day |
| Apollonia to Kastro | 07:25 | 23:30 | 11 buses a day |
| Kastro to Apollonia | 07:30 | 23:40 | 11 buses a day |
| Artemonas, Apollonia, Faros | 07:00 | 23:00 | 10 buses a day |
| Faros, Apollonia, Kastro, Artemonas | 07:15 | 23:15 | 10 buses a day |
| Artemonas, Apollonia, Vathi | 09:00 | 22:50 | 7 buses a day |
| Vathi, Apollonia, Artemonas | 09:25 | 23:15 | 7 buses a day |
| Artemonas to Cheronisos | 10:15 | 16:45 | 4 buses a day |
| Cheronisos, Artemonas, Apollonia, Vathi | 10:35 | 17:15 | 4 buses a day |
Many buses on the main corridor continue on to other villages after Apollonia, so a single service might carry on to Kastro, Vathi or Faros depending on the time of day. If you are unsure whether your bus goes all the way to your stop, just ask the driver as you board.
Shoulder Season Timetable, Early May
Outside peak summer the schedule drops a great deal, with several routes only running on weekdays and some, like Vathi and Cheronisos, cut back to just 2 buses a day.
| Route | First bus | Last bus | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artemonas, Apollonia, Kamares | 07:00 | 17:15 | 7 buses a day |
| Kamares, Apollonia, Artemonas | 07:15 | 17:30 | 6 buses a day |
| Artemonas, Apollonia, Platys Gialos | 07:00 | 16:00 | 5 buses a day |
| Platys Gialos, Apollonia, Artemonas | 07:30 | 16:30 | 5 buses a day |
| Apollonia to Kastro | 07:30 | 17:00 | 4 buses a day, some weekdays only |
| Kastro to Apollonia | 07:35 | 17:10 | 4 buses a day, some weekdays only |
| Artemonas, Apollonia, Faros | 07:00 | 16:00 | 4 buses a day |
| Faros, Platys Gialos, Apollonia, Artemonas | 07:15 | 16:15 | 4 buses a day |
| Artemonas, Apollonia, Vathi | 08:20 | 11:00 | 2 buses a day, weekdays only |
| Vathi, Apollonia, Artemonas | 08:40 | 12:00 | 2 buses a day, weekdays only |
| Artemonas to Cheronisos | 09:00 | 12:30 | 2 buses a day, weekdays only |
| Cheronisos to Artemonas | 09:30 | 12:50 | 2 buses a day, weekdays only |
This shoulder season pattern is a reasonable guide for late April, May and October, though the exact times are set fresh each year, so it is always worth checking the current version once you arrive.
Getting to the Beaches
The southern beaches of Platys Gialos, Vathi, Faros and Chrysopigi are the main draw for most visitors, and buses reach all of them either directly from Kamares or Artemonas or with a short change at Apollonia. Kastro and Cheronisos, up in the north east of the island, run a little less often, especially outside summer, so those trips need a bit more planning around the return time.
Getting Between Kamares and Apollonia
The short hop between the port and the main town is the busiest route on the island and runs closely with ferry arrivals in peak summer, making it a simple option if you have just come off the boat.
Handy Tips for Riding the Bus in Sifnos
- Buy your ticket from the driver as you board, since there is no separate ticket office to queue at first.
- Learn which stop is which in Apollonia before you travel, since buses in different directions leave from different spots around the village.
- Ask the driver if you are not sure whether the bus continues on to your final stop, since several routes carry on past Apollonia to different villages depending on the departure.
- Check the current timetable at the bus stop or the official Sifnos bus website as soon as you arrive, since exact times are set fresh each season.
- Keep a little extra time in hand for return journeys from Kastro, Vathi or Cheronisos, especially outside July and August, since these routes run far less often than the main corridor.
Final Thoughts
The Sifnos bus network works well for the busy stretch between Kamares, Apollonia, Artemonas and the southern beaches, particularly in July and August when buses run every 30 to 60 minutes into the early hours. Outside peak summer the timetable shrinks quickly, and routes to Vathi and Cheronisos in particular drop to just a couple of buses a day on weekdays. Whatever time of year you travel, checking the posted schedule at the bus stop or on the official website once you land is the safest way to avoid missing your connection.
